Frozen confection vending machine unit



Aug. 8, 1950 J. E. KENDIG 2,

FROZEN CONFECTION VENDING MACHINE UNIT Filed Jan. 14, 1949 5' Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. Fig.2.

, EHDEiLATE :uv RED /34 I36 as I38 I as 134 I 46 I04 I52 Inventor 11a 45 82 James E. Kend/g 1950 J. E. KENDIG 2,518,333

FROZEN CONFECTION VENDING MACHINE UNIT Filed Jan. 14, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.5.

Fig.4.

22 Inventor James E. Irena/g (ma WW m Aug. 8, 1950 J. E. KENDIG 2, 1

FROZEN CONFECTIYON VENDING MACHINE UNIT Filed Jan. 14 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 James E. [fend/g Aug. 8, 1950 J. E. KENDIG 2,513,333

FROZEN CONFECTION vsnnmc MACHINE um" Filed Jan. 1

4 1949 V 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 James E Kendig eon WW9 Z6. M5195 Patented Aug. 8, 1950 James E. Kendig, Oreland, Pa., assignor to East ern Engineering &. Sales, Inc, Philadelphia, Pat, a. corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 14, 1949, Serial No. 70,956

16 Claims. 1 This invention appertains to novel and uselul improvements in equimment for dispensing articles.

An object of invention is to dispense ar- "ticles, particularly frozen confections by means of cam actuated electors rendered operative upon movement of a rotary magazine, the electors having a rotative movement with. the magazine; while the cams are retained relatively stationary. The ejectors. operate on. the frozen confectionsin order to break the adhesion or the adhesion bond be tween the frozen confections and the. rotary magazine thereby imparting. an initial thrust to the article which is about. to be dispensed, the completion of the dispensing operation taking place by means of the force or pull of gravity.

Another obiect. of. this invention is to removably and replaceably' mount a composite unit in a specially provided cabinet or an existing cabinet having refrigeration iacilities therein. whereby the unit may be. removed for repair purposes or, whereby the unit may be; conveniently and easily slipped into place within substantially all types of conventional vending machine cabinets.

A further object of this invention is to incorporate means in the unit rendering filling and refilling rapid, easy and. facile, and. incorporate in the structure of the unit such mechanism as to render it possible to load the rotary magazine from the top: thereof simply rotating the magazine suificiently to place frozen. confections or other articles therein, the cam actuated ejector mechanism being. inoperative at this time.

A still further object of. this invention is to prevent the failure of ejecting a frozen confection when the plurality of wheels forming the rotary magazine are moved such an amount that one wheel exhausts its supply and the next adjacent wheel is picked up in the rotary movement.

A still further object of this invention. is to utilize frozen confections which are wrapped by the manufacturer, it being unnecessary to wrap the said confections specially or in a special man!- ner thereby" materially reducing, labor costs involved and the cost of additional packaging, material.

And another object of this invention is to store the frozen confections such. as ice cream bars orthe like so that they do not contact each other, each bar being stored individually in a separate compartment thereby avoiding the possibility of disfiguration due to inadvertent fall in temperature within the conventional cabinet. within: rea- Sonable limits which would ordinarily occur more 2 quickly if the frozen confections were stacked or stored in very confined quarters.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational front View of a typical cabinet having the invention disposed therein for operation;

ill

Figure 2 is an elevational view similar to that shown in Figure 1, the door of the cabinet being in the open position;

Figure 3' is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure l and the direction of the arrows, showing particularly the internalstructure' of the magazine and ejector unit;

Figure 4 is: an. clevational side view of the unit separated from a cabinet;

5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 4 and in the direction the magazine illustrating particularly the dummy or blank compartments in the wheels;

Figure 1.0: an enlarged sectional detailof construction showing particularly the sliding closure for the discharge opening which is used to receive and guide frozen confections as they are ejected, and;

Figure. 11 icon enlarged perspective view of one of the cams used. in conjunction with the ejeotors and showing partially the means for raising the cams to the inoperative position and lowering the cams to. the operative position.

Various. vending apparatus and equipment is commonly used. In each vending machine there is certain equipment. used for the purpose of discharging an article. such as a frozen confection, non-frozen confections, cigarettes, liquid refreshmerits. and others. The instant invention deals with that type of apparatus which is adapted to ceiving appurtenances and treatment apparatus is carried by and partially within the cabinet. Hence, for the purposes of this invention a substantially conventional cabinet is utilized and illustrated which has a door In sealed by means of a gasket l2 when in the closed position in the door opening of the cabinet [4. The said door if! opens a compartment l6 wherein there is disposed a portable frozen confection article'dis' pensing unit.

In dispensing frozen confections by utilizing structure now conventional which is incidentally of various mechanical detail, a major problem has arisen. Due to the low temperature or heat value within the cabinet which is necessary to retain the frozen confection in the firm state, an adhesion bond is set up between the article to be dispensed and the magazine whether it be of the compartmented type or other types. Hence, means is provided in the portable unit disclosed herewith for an initial force to break this bond.

Support frame structure A support or frame generally indicated at 28 includes the necessary structural element for retention of various components of the device. Included in the support or frame is a pair of sides 22 and 24 respectively held in spaced relationship with each other by means of cross member 25,

28, 39 and 32 respectively. This forms a frame having open ends and an open top and bottom.

Fixed to the upper cross members 28 andv 30 .respectively is a pair of smoothly curved bafiles 34 and 36 respectively which cooperate to form a guide. It is noted at this point that any suitable fastening means may be used in conjunction with the frame structure such as spot welding, screwing, riveting or others. The inner ends of the baffles 34 and respectively are bent generally downward and are spaced from each other to 'i form a discharge opening 38. The baffle 34 has its end 40 inclined at an angle with respect to the horizontal and in a down direction in order that the frozen confections may be 'guidedin the discharge travel thereof. stiffening members in f the form of angles 42 or other forms are attached "to the sides 22 and 24 and also to the ends of the two bafiles 34 and 3'6. Openings to be identified subsequently are provided in the plates 22 and 24 respectivel in order to accommodate bearings for the 'support of various shafts.

Rotary magazines I Means for storing and maintaining frozen confections such as the packaged ice cream 45 having a.

a handle 46 extending therefrom, is provided. The instant device is designed-primarily for use in conjunction with this type of confection and hence certain small structural provisions such as openings for accommodation of the ice creamm.

handles 46 is provided in the rotary magazine. The magazine consists of one or more wheels. In Figure 9 four wheels are illustrated and are indicated at 48, 50, 52 and 54 respectively. In this instance each wheel is provided with a rim (Fig. 8) 56 connected to a hub 58 by means of a number of spokes as. A shaft 52 is disposed in all of the hubs and has its ends mounted in apertures provided in the plates 22 and 24 respectively which have suitable bearings therein.

A clutch mechanism is disposed between adjacent wheels and is of .aztype whichis rendered operative-for coupling adjacent wheels together after the first wheel has traveled somewhat less than 360.

One of the wheels 48 is pinned to the shaft, being attached thereto for movement therewith through any suitable structure such as the pin '54 which isdisposed in a suitable groove formed in the shaft 62' and in a complemental groove in the hub'58. Hence, upon rotation of the shaft 62 the wheel 48 will be correspondingly rotated.

A pin 66 is carried by the hub 58 projecting from the end thereof substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft E2. This pin engages another pin 68 which is carried by a collar. 10 mounted for free rotation on the shaft 62 between adjacent wheels 48 and 50. It is seen that the collar 16 will begin torotate prior to a completion of' a 360 of rotation of the wheel 48. The pin 68 projects laterally-from the collar 16 and is disposed-in an enlarged'opening 14. This enlarged opening is formed in the hub .16 of the wheel 511- An identical clutch mechanism is provided between adjacent wheels to pick up for movement progressive wheels along the shaft 62.

- The reason for utilizing the enlarged opening 14 is brought out by inspection of the schematic showing in Figure 9. In each wheel there is one dummy compartment or blank compartment which does not accommodate a frozen confection 45. They are identified as A,'B, C, and D. The distance (linear) of a point on the periphery of each wheel caused by the presence of the two pins and 68 is reflected in the disposition of theblank compartments indicatedat A and B, C, D in phantom. This is the position of the dummy or blank compartments when all of the wheels in the magazine are coupled together by the clutch mechanisms so that the rotary magazine moves as a unit.

At the periphery of' each wheel means is pro vided' for the purpose of accommodating the frozen confections '45. This means consists of a pair of substantially circular side pieces 89 and 82respective1y provided in suitable recesses 84 and 86 inthe rim 56' of the wheel 48. Each Wheel is identical in structure. The preferred material of construction of these side pieces is a phenolic condensate or some other suitable plastic material. However, any suitable materials may be used. a

Means for spacing the sides 82 and 84 and also for dividing the periphery of the wheel 48 into compartments is provided. 1 The preferable means consists of aluminum bars 88 covered with a plastic material. Due to the thermal properties of plastic material as well. as the anti-corrosive properties thereof it has been found preferable to utilize this type of material for the formation of the compartments having the frozen confection disposed therein. p

Central openings 92 are provided in the rim 56 of'the Wheel in order to accommodate the handle 56 of each'frozen confection. There is 'one'passage or opening 92 provided for each compartment. As seen in Figure '7, the frozen confection is adapted to have the handle projecting through this passage ineachinstance and the actual body of the confection is disposed between adjacent bars 88. I

Means for operating the shaft 62 a. predetermined distance is provided. The preferable means consists of conventional elements such as the motor 94 (Fig. 2) carried by the frame or support structure, a gear 95 driven by the motor and having a chain 98 extending therearound, and a larger gear II'II'I fixed to the shaft 62 also having the chain 98 entrained therearound. Other types of drives such as. a belt and pulley, worm and gear and the like may be used. How" ever, it has been found that the chain drive is the most inexpensive type of driving connection which is positive enough in action.

Coin control mechanisms of the type which reject slugs, give the correct change and per form other functions are used. By the disposition of a contact on the last wheel 54 to rotate and a complemental contact on the support for operative engagement therewith, a visual sign is. given when the magazine is empty. This structure is however, purely conventional and need not be. considered in detail. As is Very well known, the application of a coin in one of these coin control mechanisms operates the motor 94 for a duration and only a predetermined amount. This. predetermined amount is sufficient to move one of the compartments in one of the wheels a distance suflioient to allow one frozen confection 45 to pass directly over the discharge opening 38.

Cam actuated ejector mechanism ,As the wheels of the rotary magazine are operated, it is. seen from inspection of Figure 5 that a frozen confection is emitted from the. magazine. However, when handling frozen confedtions it is sometimes impossible to. have them ejected by means of gravity only. Hence, in the instant case there is the combination of the pull of gravity and a positive displacement means. This positive displacement means is used solely for the purpose of breaking the adhesion between the frozen confection and the rim. 56 and/or the sides 86 and 82.

A shaft I04 is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings provided in the plates 22 and 24 respectively. This shaft has a non-circular end portion E06 (Fig. 11) for accommodation of the r handle 18-. This shaft extends entirely through the area between both plates and has pair of links III] and Hi respectively carried thereby. One pair of links is provided for each space between the magazine wheels. Hence, as disclosed I and in this instance there are three pairs in all. Each pair of links III} and H2 is pinned to a pitman IM which is mounted for rotation on a Shaft H6 which extends between the sides 22 and 24. Operating members I I8 and I25 respectively have a shaft I22 extending therethrough which ismounted for rotation in suitable bearings provided on the plates 22 and 24. Also extending through these operating members: III! and I2!) is the shaft H5. Stops i24 and I126 respectively extend across the operating members I18 and I20 and are disposed in flan-king relationship with respect to a cam support arm I28. The opposite end of the cam support arm is fixed on a shaft I3I for pivotal movement. This shaft (Fig. 5) is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings provided in the plates 22 and 24 respectively.

In operation of the cam support arm [28 for a reason to be described subsequently, it is neces sary only to impart rotative movement to the shaft 4 bymeans of the handle I 08. Since the links HI and I I 2 respectively are rigid therewith at one end, the shaft H6 is laterall displaced through theintermcdiate structure of the pitman H4. Hence, each pair of operating links IIB and I28 respectively will pivot about the. shaft I22 as an axis. Assume that the handle Hill is rotated in a clockwise. direction, then, the stop i2'6 engages the under-surface of the arm I28 thereby raising the same. In the event that the cam support. arm H8 is already in the raised position as shown in phantom in Figure 5, counterclockwise. rotation of the handle I08. will bring h S p 124 into play, lowering the cam support arm I28 and of course, simultaneously lowering the stop I26 which is used as a seat for the cam support arm I28. v

The. baflles 34 and 36 which cooperate to form a guide for the frozen confections 45 to prevent their slipping from the rotary magazine, have slots I'Bfl provided therein and the cam supporting arms I 28 extend therethrough (Figure l). Not only do. these slots allow free passage of these arms but they serve a secondary function and that is to permit thecool air to be blown therethrough to insure refrigeration in the immediate region of the frozen confections. Other slots may be provided in the side 22 and at various and sundry other places as the dictates of sound engineering principles suggest.

In Figure 6 there is disclosed the relationship of the cam support arms E23 and the wheels of the rotary magazine. The cams are disp s d jacent the sides til and Iic of each. wheel for the operation of ejectors I34 and i315, which are mounted for movement through suitable passages I33 formed in the hub 56. As one wheel is rotated, a cam 1-39. is engaged by the outer edge of the ejector thereby urging it radially with respect to the hub of the wheel. It is seen that two ejectors are provided for each wheel and hence,

two cams are utilized. One cam is disposed on one of the arms I23 and the other cam used in conjunction with the same. wheel is disposed on a second adjacent arm I28.

The shape of the ejectors l3-$ or I34 is. identi cal. They are L-shaped rods having the longer legs extending through the passages, L38 and the shorter legs adapted for disposition on a flat sidev of a frozen confection 45..

Means opposing the cam operation of the ejectors I34 and I36 reacts on the shorter legs of the ejectors and the hub 56 of thepertinent wheel. Preferable means consists of a, resilient element such as a spring I40 which is attached at one end to the inner surface of the wheel hub by means of a pin or the like and attached at the other end to the shorter leg of the L-shaped ejector-s. Suitable passages I42 are provided in the hub of each wheel for accommodation of these springs.

With regard the means opposing the operation of the ejectors, the springs may be attached in othermannerisms but with regard the particular type of confection under discussion it is best. to have them disposed very close to the hub and by the utility of the passages I4! the spring I40 may be stored substantially entirely therein, usurpmg no space on the outside surface of this hub.

In instances wherein interference would be occasioned by the existence oi the spokes 6|], cutouts or notches 148 (Fig. 8 are provided.

Method of loading I The unit is adapted: to be loaded from the. top.

Reference to Figure}; shows schematically the position of .the blank or dummy compartments which are inaxial alignment with the shaft 62. Initially .however, the crank or handle I08 is rotated in such direction as to. lift the cams so that they will not contact any of the ejectors upon rotation of the magazine. wheels. Due to the linkage involved in the means for raising and lowering the cam support arms, a dead center position is arrived at whereby the cam support arms will simply remain in the upright position. Then, the handle I is operated for the purpose of moving a sliding closure I53 so that the discharge opening 38 is closed. This sliding closure I53 has in general the same configuration as the guide.

The handle I50 is attached to a shaft I52 which is rotatively mounted in the plates 22 and 24 respectively. Links I54 and I55 respectively are attached rigidly to the shaft I52 and moved therewith. These links have pairs of pitman "rods I58 secured thereto and also to suitable ears I60 which are in turn carried by the outer surface of the closure I53. Accordingly, upon rotative movement of the shaft I52 the closure I53 is slid through a suitable opening I64 formed in the end of the bafile or guide element 36. Additional guides I66 are fixed to the sides 22 and 24 in order that the said closure I53 may slide smoothly. The end of the closure may be bent downwardly as shown in Figure 10 to form a stop. Hence, with the discharge open- 7 ing 38 closed by means of the closure I53 it is not the handle I08 thus pressing all of the pertinent ejectors downwardly as if to eject a frozen confection. But, since the dummy compartments are in the full down position they are simply harmlessly biased or urged downwardly.

Through the medium of purely conventional switches provided in the wiring of the motor and other apparatus at pertinent places, the motor may be rendered inoperative during the loading period. Now, since the machine has been loaded, this switch may be operated thereby energizing the circuit having the motor therein thereby placing the apparatus in readiment for reception of a coin of the'proper denomination.

, Operation After depositing a coin in the proper slot in the front of the apparatus, if it is the proper denomination due to the conventional mechanism disposed in conjunction with the slotythe motor 94 will be operated a small amount. The .opera- I tion of the motor is reflected in movement of the rotary magazine wheel 48. As described, all of the rotary magazine wheels have their dummy or blank "compartment disposed immediately above thedischargegopening 38. But, since the wheel 48 is the only one which moves, the two pertinent ejectors (in that wheel) are the only ones which are operatedv on in conjunction with the cams I39. This urges the ejectors downwardly and in a radial direction with respect to the hub 50 of thewheel 48 against the tension of the spring elements I40. Hence, the ice cream or other type of frozen confection is broken loose from the bond set up by the freezing of the frozen confection wrapper to the various elements. For illustrative purposes and clarity of disclosure, the frozen confections are. shown without having the wrapper thereon. However, the wrappers are actually what are attached.

The ejectors urge the frozen confection from the magazine having the confection therein from both sides of the confection thereby moving it I smoothly and evenly.

Once the confection has had this bond-broken it is free to fall by gravity through the outlet chute I which is formed in the cabinet I4. Partitions I82, I84, I86 and I88 respectively are disposed in this outlet chute I80 dividing the same into minor chutes for reception of all of the frozen confections in a single magazine Wheel. An outlet door I90 is. mounted for movement in front of the vending machine and in communication with the end of the discharge chute I80. It is through this door I90 that an individual receives the frozen confection after it has been discharged.

After the wheel 48 is moved a rotative amount equal to 360 less the included angle of the dummy or blank compartment B, the clutch mechanism is rendered operative thereby carrying with it for rotation the second wheel 50. Hence, after the last frozen confection is discharged from the wheel .48 the dummy A has been rotated around to the discharge opening and, moves directly thereover with the movement of the first full compartment in the wheel 50. This identical operation is completed until all of the four rotary magazine wheels have come in direct vertical alignment with the discharge opening 38. At that time, through the medium of conventional contacts placed on the wheel 54 and on a stationaryelement visual sign is given on the door I0 so that an indication for refilling is set forth and so that further money will not be placed in the apparatus. Means for preventing the acceptance of further money when the machine is completely empty is provided. This may consist of a baflle which through electrical means is inserted in thecoin slot and is conventional in description.

When the vending machine is empty the closure I53 is operated to move the same to the position as disclosed in Figure 10 and the cams are lifted by rotation of the appropriate handle I08. The magazine wheels are then reloaded and all of the blank or dummy compartments are disposed as shownin Figure 9 andas described previously. The apparatus is then in condition for further operation.

In the event of the necessity of repairs it is only necessary to slide the entire unit from the cabinet and replace the same in order that the defective unit may be taken to a central location or plant for repair.

It is apparent that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims. 7

Having described the claimed as new is:

l. A storage and dispensing unit for use with a cabinet having a compartment therein comprising a support disposed in said compartment, a rotary magazine carried by said support and a cam actuated dispenser carried by said support rendered operative in response to a partial radian of travel of saidmagazine, means attached to invention, what is "9 said support adjacent the lower periphery of said magazine forming a guide for articles prior to dispensing from the magazine and having a discharge opening, and a manually operable closure for said opening.

2. A- storage and dispensing unit for use with a cabinet having a compartment therein comprising a support disposed in said compartment, a rotary magazine carried by said support and a cam actuated dispenser carried by said support rendered operative in response to a partial radian of travel of said magazine including a plurality of ejectors mounted for radial movement in said magazine, andmeans attached to said ejectors and said magazine opposing the operation of said ejectors to return said ejectors.

3. A portable dispensing unit adapted to be removably disposed in a vending machine having refrigeration facilities comprising a support, a plurality of rotary magazines carried by said support, means for coupling adjacent magazines upon substantially a single revolution of one of the adjacent magazines, cams disposed within the periphery of said rotary magazines, means movably carried by said support holding said cams whereby said cams may be moved toward and away from the periphery of each magazine, and means carried by said magazines and operable by said cams upon rotation of said magazines for urging articles from the magazines to break the adhesion bond between the articles and the magazines.

4. A portable dispensing unit adapted to be removably disposed in a vending machine having refrigeration facilities, said unit comprising a support, a plurality of rotary magazines carried by said support, means for coupling adjacent magazines upon substantially a single revolution of one of the adjacent magazines, cams disposed within the periphery of said rotary magazines, means movably carried by said support holding said cams whereby said cams may be moved toward and away from the periphery of each magazine, means carried by said magazines and operable by said cams upon rotation of said magazines for urging articles from the magazines to break the adhesion bond between the articles and the magazines, a motor secured to said support drivingly connected with said magazines, a

guide attached to said support and disposed beneath the lower periphery of said magazines, a dispensed article discharge opening in said guide, a closure carried by said support for said opening, and means for operating said closure to the opening closing position to prevent articles from passing through said opening, when said magazines are being loaded during free and non-discharging rotation of said magazines.

5. In a vending machine having a refrigeration mechanism the improvement which comprises: a portable dispensing unit removably disposed in the machine and including a support frame, a shaft mounted for rotation in said frame and having a rotary magazine carried thereby, a plurality of compartments in said magazine adapted to accommodate a frozen confection, substantially radial passages in said magazine, frozen confection ejectors disposed in said passages, and means carried by said frame for operating each ejector in response to rotary movement of said magazine.

6. In a vending machine having a refrigeration mechanism the improvement which comprises: a portable dispensing unit removably disposed in the machine and including a support frame, a shaft mounted for rotation in said frame and having a rotary magazine carried thereby, a plurality of compartments in said magazine adapted to accommodate a frozen confection, substantially radial passages insaid magazine, frozen confection ejectors disposed in said passages, means carried by said frame for operating each ejector in response to rotary movement of said magazine including a plurality of cams, said magazine including a plurality of wheels with said cams disposed therebetween, and means reacting on said Wheels and said ejectors opposing the cam operation of said ejectors.

i. In a vending machine having a refrigerationmechanism the improvement which comprises: aportable dispensing unit removably disposed in the machine and including a support frame, a shaft mounted for rotation in said frame and having a rotary magazine carried thereby, a plurality of compartments in said magazine adapted to accommodate a frozen confection, substantially radial passages in said magazine, frozen confection ejectors disposed in said passages, means carried by said frame for operating each ejector in response to rotary movement of said magazine including a plurality of cams, said magazine including a plurality of wheels with said cams disposed therebetwcen, means reacting on said wheels and said ejectors opposing the cam operation of said ejectors, a blank compartment in each wheel, and a clutch mechanism connecting adjacent wheels together for rotation upon movement of one wheel with respect to the next adjacent wheel an angle of 360 less the included angle of the blank compartment to insure discharge during the period of operation of transition from one wheel to the next adjacent wheel.

8. For use in a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment, a dispensing unit including a rotary magazine having a plurality of open faced compartments adapted to accommodate articles of frozen confection, article ejectors carried for movement in said compartments by said magazinc, and means operatively engaging said ejectors and operating one of said ejectors when said magazine is rotated a predetermined distance.

9. The combination of claim 8 and said ejector operating means including a cam, and a motor drivingly connected with said magazine for rotating said magazine.

10. For use in a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment, a dispensing unit including a rotary magazine having a plurality of open faced compartments adapted to accommodate articles of frozen confection, article ejectors carried for movement in said compartments by said magazine, means operatively engaging said ejectors and operating one of said ejectors when said magazine is rotated a predetermined distance,

non-rectilinear spacers in said magazine partially forming said compartments, an article guide having a discharge opening and disposed adjacent the lower portion of said magazine whereby a dispensed article may fall by gravity from the magazine through the opening after fracturing of the adhesion bond by one of the ejectors.

11. For use in a cabinet having a refrigerated compartment, a dispensing unit including a rotary magazinehaving a plurality of open faced compartments adapted to accommodate articles of frozen confection, article ejectors carried for movement in said compartments by said magazine, means operatively engaging said ejectors and operating one of said ejectors when said magazine is rotated a predetermined distance, non-rectilinear spacers in said magazine partially forming said compartments, an article guide having a discharge opening and disposed adjacent the lower portion of said magazine whereby a ispensed article may fall by gravity from the magazine through the opening after'fracturing of the adhesion bond by one of the ejectors, and

open compartments therein adapted to'accom-' modate frozen confection articles, said guide being fixed to the lower portion of said frame and forming a closure for the peripherally open compartments as they rotate past said guide, a plurality of cams, means supporting said cams be- 7 'tween said wheels, and ejectors partially disposed in said compartment-s carried by said wheels operable by said cams upon rotation of said wheels to destroy the adhesion bond between the wheels'and frozen confection articles,

13. A dispensing unit comprising aframe having a smoothly curved guide fixed thereto, a discharge opening in saidguide, and a closure carried by said frame for said opening, a magazine mounted for rotation in said frame and including a plurality of wheels having peripherally open compartments therein adapted to accommodate frozen confection articles, said guide being fixed to the lower portion of said frame and forming a closure for the peripherally open compartments as they rotate past said guide, a plurality of cams, means supporting said cams between said wheels, and ejectors partially disposed in said compartments carried by said Wheels operable by said cams upon rotation of said wheels to destroy the adhesion bond between the wheels and frozen confection articles, said cams being disposed substantially in vertical alignment with said disl2 charge opening thereby operating only the ejectors above the opening whereupon after the adhesion bond is broken, the frozen confection articles fall due to the force of gravity.

14. A dispensing unit comprising a frame having a smoothly curved guide fixed thereto, a discharge opening in said guide, and a closure carried by said frame for said opening, a magazine mounted for rotation in said frame and including a plurality of wheels having peripherally open compartments therein adapted to accommodate frozen confection articles, said guide being fixed to the lower portion of said frame and forming a closure for the peripherally open compartments as they rotate past said guide,,a plurality of cams, means supporting said cams between said wheels, and ejectors partially disposed in said compartments carried by said wheels operable by said cams upon rotation of said wheels to destroy the adhesion bond between the wheels and frozen confection articles, each wheel having one dummy compartment, clutches disposed between said wheels connecting successive wheels for movement when the dummy compartment of one wheel is disposed adjacent the discharging position.

15. The combination of claim 14 and means carried by said frame for moving said cams to a 7 position spaced from said ejectors whereby said ejectors are inoperative upon rotation of said wheels.

16. The combination of claim 15 and manually operable means for actuating said closure.

. JAMES E. KENDIG.

- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,285,068 Titus June 2, 1942 

